‘Without it, nothing works’ — Mohammed reaffirms Bauchi government’s commitment to basic education

Bala Mohammed, the governor of Bauchi, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening basic education in the state, describing it as the foundation of national development.

The governor spoke on Wednesday during a visit to the headquarters of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) in Abuja.

“Without basic education, nothing works,” a statement by the public relations unit of UBEC quoted Mohammed as saying.

The governor noted that the Bauchi state government remains determined to advance the sector, which he described as the bedrock of societal transformation.

He added that Bauchi, one of Nigeria’s largest in terms of educational reach, not only serves its residents but also accommodates learners from neighbouring states.

Mohammed commended UBEC and its executive secretary Aisha Garba, for the commission’s ongoing support, particularly through the better education service delivery for All (BESDA) programme.

“We have implemented numerous projects under BESDA — in infrastructure, enrollment, and human capital development,” he said, adding that Bauchi is fully up to date in accessing its UBEC matching grants.

This, he noted, reflects his administration’s proactive approach to leveraging federal resources for educational improvement.

Speaking, the UBEC executive secretary expressed appreciation for the governor’s visit and lauded his administration’s efforts in transforming basic education across the state.

She praised the construction of “mega schools” in Bauchi, describing them as equivalent to “smart schools” due to their modern facilities and innovative learning environments.

She also highlighted the recruitment of qualified teachers as a major achievement.

“Bauchi State stands out not only for accessing its UBEC grants but also for utilising them effectively,” Garba said.

“This reflects true commitment and accountability in the pursuit of educational excellence.”

She reaffirmed UBEC’s readiness to strengthen its collaboration with Bauchi state and expressed optimism that the partnership would continue to drive long-term progress in Nigeria’s basic education sector.